Pakistan Men’s National Selection Committee has announced the Test squads for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England during a press conference held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, 5 July.
Babar Azam has been named captain for both series as Pakistan begins a crucial phase of its ICC World Test Championship campaign. The national side will first travel to the West Indies for a two-match Test series from 25 July to 6 August before heading to England for a challenging three-match Test series scheduled from 19 August to 13 September.
A 16-member squad has been selected for the West Indies series, while a 17-member squad has been announced for the England tour. Saud Shakeel has been included as the 17th member for the England series, subject to fitness.
The selectors have also rewarded several emerging players with their maiden Test call-ups. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, right-handed batter Muhammad Awais Zafar, right-arm fast bowler Ubaid Shah and wicket-keeper batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori are the uncapped players included in the squad after impressive performances in domestic cricket.
The squad for the West Indies features Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
For the England series, the squad remains unchanged with the addition of Saud Shakeel, whose participation will depend on his fitness ahead of the tour.
Pakistan will begin the West Indies series with the first Test at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba from 25-29 July, followed by the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain from 2-6 August.
The England tour will commence with the opening Test in Leeds from 19-23 August. The second Test will be played at Lord’s from 27-31 August, while the third and final Test is scheduled for Birmingham from 9-13 September. The two overseas assignments are expected to provide Pakistan with an important opportunity to build momentum and strengthen their position in the World Test Championship standings.